A Lipolytic Action of Epinephrine and Norepinephrine on Rat Adipose Tissue in vitro.

Abstract

Epinephrine and norepinephrine stimulate production of nonesterified fatty acids from rat adipose tissue when incubated in vitro in rat plasma, presumably by stimulating the hydrolysis of neutral fats within the tissue. Incubation under nitrogen markedly inhibits this effect of epinephrine and appears to increase production of fatty acids from control tissues. The d-isomers of epinephrine and norepinephrine are much less active in this system than the physiological 1-isomers. indicating a specificity in tissue response. Some implications of this lipolytic activity are discussed.